The second beach party movie sees the gang do their thing on the beach, which consists of lounging, larking around, singing and the tiniest amount of surfing. They also manage to fit in some bands into their tightly packed schedules, including Dick Dale and Stevie Wonder. Otherwise its the usual hi-jinx.
Showing posts with label Alta Vista Productions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alta Vista Productions. Show all posts
6.9.09
muscle beach party (1964)
The second beach party movie sees the gang do their thing on the beach, which consists of lounging, larking around, singing and the tiniest amount of surfing. They also manage to fit in some bands into their tightly packed schedules, including Dick Dale and Stevie Wonder. Otherwise its the usual hi-jinx.
Labels:
AIP,
Alta Vista Productions,
American,
Beach,
Music,
William Asher
8.8.09
the masque of the red death (1964)
Prince Prospero (Vincent Price), leads a dissolute life, toying with the peasants under his control for the delight of his courtiers and other landed gentry. Whilst his lands are wracked with a plague called the red death he invites the nobility to shelter in his castle, and plans a masqued ball to amuse them. During this celebration to Satan he has arranged to initiate a peasant girl Francesca (Jane Asher), whom he has kidnapped and taken a shine to. Meanwhile his mistress Juliana (Hazel Court) decides to please him by initiating herself as a satanist. But is Satan as all powerful as Prospero thinks, and can he defeat the red death?
Gloriously vivid redrawing of the Edgar Alan Poe story and possibly Roger Corman's finest hour. There is hardly a foot wrong with this, everything from the look, feel, pacing and acting are spot on.
Labels:
AIP,
Alta Vista Productions,
American,
Horror,
Roger Corman
9.4.09
black sabbath (1963)
A horror in three parts, introduced by and featuring Boris Karloff as the Wurdalak. Firstly, The Telephone where a woman recieves a series of phone calls from her ex-pimp who has escaped from prison. She enlists the help of her lesbian ex-lover Mary, who comes over, but this just serves to rack up the tension and claustrophobia as they await the coming of Frank. Second we have The Wurdalak: A 19th Century tale of a young man who stumbles on a family awaiting the return of their father, who they now believe to be a Wurdalak. A walking cadaver who feeds on the blood of the living, preferably close friends and family. The final story is The Drop Of Water. In Victorian London a woman is called to a house to dress the corpse of a medium, and whilst doing so steals a ring. She is subsequently plagued by a fly and visions of the corpse. The fantastic photography and lighting lends extra atmosphere to these three very claustrophobic and stylish stories. See this film, but preferably in the original Italian version. AIP for some reason decided to tamper and released it with the stories rearranged and eliminating some of the sub plot elements.
5.2.09
mask of satan (1960)
aka Black Sunday. House of Fright. Mask of the Demon. Revenge of the Vampire. The Demon's Mask. The Hour When Dracula Comes.Or La maschera del demonio as it was known in Italy, was an early indication of Mario Bava's talent, being his directorial debut. It was considered gruesome at the time and was banned in the UK for eight years. But don't let the squemish British censors put you off - it's really a beautifully evocative piece of storytelling.
Labels:
Alta Vista Productions,
Galatea Film,
Horror,
Italian,
Jolly Film,
Mario Bava,
Vampire,
Witchcraft
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